The Miami Heat are headed to the Eastern Conference Finals, but the fanbase is concerned with Jimmy Butler after a photo showed how bad his ankle injury is.
The Miami Heat are once again heading back to the Eastern Conference Finals for the third time in four years after they defeated the New York Knicks 96-92 in Game 6 on Friday night. They were able to do so even with star Jimmy Butler not at 100 percent.
Butler missed Game 2 at Madison Square Garden due to a right ankle sprain suffered late in Game 1. Since then, Butler has played through the pain to ensure that the team doesn't lose momentum and face elimination.
After the game, Butler posted a photo of himself walking in the back of Kaseya Arena on his Instagram story. Fans pointed out Butler's injured right ankle, which looked to be swollen.
Heat fans point out Jimmy Butler's ankle injury in post-Game 6 photo
The Heat faithful are surely hoping that Butler's injury heals up soon, especially with a spot n the NBA Finals on the line.
Since arriving in Miami, Butler has led the Heat to three playoff runs. The lone exception was the 2020-21 season where they were eliminated in the first round by the Milwaukee Bucks. But, he led the Heat to the NBA Finals in the Orlando bubble in the 2019-20 campaign and to Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals last season. This year, the Heat faithful are hoping that the team can bring home the Larry O'Brien trophy.
Here is how Butler performed in each game of the Eastern Conference Semifinals matchup since returning from his Game 2 absence:
- Game 3: 28 points (9-for-21 from the field, 10-for-11 from free throw line), 3 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 blocks
- Game 4: 27 points (9-for-17 FG, 8-for-9 FT), 10 assists, 6 rebounds, 2 blocks, 2 steals
- Game 5: 19 points (5-for-12 FG, 9-for-11 FT), 9 assists, 7 rebounds, 2 blocks, 4 steals
- Game 6: 24 points (7-for-22 FG, 10-for-11 FT), 4 assists, 8 rebounds
Miami now awaits the winner of Game 7 between the Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics on Sunday, May 14 at 3:30 p.m. ET. Once the result is final, the Heat will head to either Philadelphia or Boston for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Wednesday, May 17, which will broadcast on TNT at 8:30 p.m. ET.